Internal-combustion engine



G. E. CONWAY.

, INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE.

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P uw m a Y. A M D u ...h N 0 n A w n P 'il A ATTORNEY G. E. CONWAY.INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE.v

APPLICATION FILED MAY 3| 1919. 1,366,636.

Patented Jan. 25, 1921.

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6. E. CONWAY. INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE.

"www" "LE" Mm '9' Patented Jan. 25,1921.

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A TTU/MEV PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE E. CONWAY, OFTENAFLY, JERSEY.

INTERNAL-COMBUSTI'ON ENGNE.

Lacasse.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented J an. 25, 192i..

Application ined May s, 1919. serial No. 29e-,373.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE E. CONWAY, a citizen of the United States,residin at Tenaiy, in the county of Bergen and tate of4 New Jersey, haveinvented a certain new and useful Improvement in Internal-CombustionEngines, of which the following is a specification.

- The invention relates to motors for airplane and like service in whicheconomy of space and weight are important factors, and thel object ofthe invention is to provide an engine in which the disposition of thecylinders, preferably tandem, permits the engine to be very, compact andto occupy but little space in cross-section; and disposing the pistonsin such cylinders so that the power impulses are applied O11l Oppositesides of the crank-shaft, thereby balancing the effect of the impulsesand eliminating vibration.'

A further object is, by the arrangement I of cylinders and pistons, toobtain the ad#` vantages of longcompression strokes with a reducedpiston-speed, and to obtain 4an increase in explosions without exceedingthe limit of maximum piston-speed, thus increasing the efficiency orhorsepower Output. Another general object is to provide an engine inwhich the valve-operating, and lubricating means are simple andpositive, and which is entirely self-contained, easily constructed andeconomically maintained.

The invention consists in certain novel features of construction andarrangement by which the above objectscare attained, to

`be hereinafter described and claimed.

for airplane service.

-Figure 1 is a plan view of the engine with `a portion of the casingremoved, and partly in horizontal section.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation partly in vertical section..

Fig. 3 is a vertical section, partly in elevation, on a lar er scale,showing the valveoperating mec anism.

Fig. 4 is a similar view showin one of the double pistons and the luricating means therefor. v

Fig. 5 is a transverse section through the casing and cylinder, showingthe arrangement of iston-bars through which'motion is transmitted .tothe crank-shafts.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view showing the ar'langement 'of the cranksdiagrammatica y.

Similar letters Vof reference indicate the same parts-in all thefigures.

ln the invention as shown in the drawings the cylinders are disposedhorizontally in two series, side by side in the same plane, fourcylinders in each series, mounted in the bed portion of a casing whichwith its cover incloses the engine and also serves as the frame for thelatter. The cylinders of each series are in axial alinement Or'tandem toeach-other. y

The arrangement on each side of the center line of'the casing is acounterpart of the other and the c linders of only one seriesv zontaljoint between them. Each cylinder' is open atl the ends and separatedfrom the next, and contains two pistons arranged to move oppositely, thespace between the piston-heads serving as a combustion hamber in whichthe mixture of hydrocarbon and air is received, compressed and exploded,and from which the exhaust or spent gases are expelled and led away. Theforce of the explosion is exerted to separate the pistonheads.

The extreme end pistons B and B7 are single and reciprocate in the outerends of the cylinders Av and A3; the intermediate pistons are double, orin pairs xedly joined` together, one in eachA adjacent cylinder. Thedouble pistons B1 B2 are received in the adjacent ends of cylinders A,A1, the pistons B8 B4 in the cylinders A1, A2, and the pistons B5, B6 incylinders A2, A1.

Suiicient space is provided between the adjacent ends of theintermediate cylinders and beyond the ends of the outer cylinders A, A3to permit arms connected to the Vpistons to extend radially andoppositely outward beyond the cylinders and reclprocate freely in s acesm provided therefor in the casing M, 1, transmitting the movements ofthe pistons to four piston-bars arranged parallel with the cylinders andadapted to act on a crank-shaft. Two of the bars D and D1 lie in a planehorizontally with the axial line of the cylinders, and the other pair D2D8 lie in a vertical plane at a right hev arms C of the double pistonsB1 B2 and B5 B6 are secured to thehorizontall arranged bars D and D1,and the arms 1 of the single pistons B and B" and arms C2 of the doublepiston B3 B1 are secured to the vertically arranged piston-bars D2 D3.Obviously all the pistons thus connected reciprocate together as aunitary whole and 1n coaction with the others condition the Y .rangedoppositely but in the same plane with each other, and on trunnions atthe sides of,the arms C1 at the front, are connecting rods E2 E3 fromthe piston-bars D2 D3, to the intermediate cranks F2 F 3 on thecrank-shaft F, in the same plane as the cranks F1 F1 but `extendingoppositely thereto. The crank-shaft F lies transversely of the casingand is mounted in bearings M2 therein.4

The companion series of cylinders and pistons is similarly equipped andarranged to act on the cranks G1, G2, G3 and G4 of a crank-shaft G, inline with the shaft F, but with its cranks set at a right angle to thoseon the latter, see Fig. 6.

On each crank-shaft. shown as between the cranks F2 F3 and G2 G3, is .abeveled gearlwheel H2 in mesh with a beveled 4gearwheel H1 on a shortpropeller shaft H extending forwardly parallel with the "cylinders 4andmounted in bearings in the casing M, M1, one of which is thel outboardantifriction thrust bearing M3. r

On the inner end of the propeller shaft is a pinion H3 in mesh with avgearwheel I1 on a drive-shaft I mounted in bearings in the cover M1 andcentrally between and parallel with the two series of cylinders. Thedrive-shaft carries pinions I2 in `mesh with a corresponding series ofmounted on studs set in the chambers M'1 ofthe casing. Each wheel Jcarries a cam .I1-on one face and a similar cam J 2 on the opposite faceset at a right angle to the first.

The cams operate inlet and exhaust of the cylinders.

the valves controlling the passages from the ports a he valves are ofthe mushroom typev mounted in the casing-cover M1 with their stemshorizontal and parallel with the'cyllnders and drive-shafty I and inalinement with each' other. Each wheel'J operates two opposltelydisposed valves vcontrolling either inlet or exhaust passages.

The stem K1 of each valve K K2 screwed thereon provided K1 adapted to bemove the valve has a sleeve with'a nose cted upon by the cam and xiallyfrom its seat and vtions M and M1 gearwheels Jv' corresponding notch Zin the fork L1 of the bifurcated arm of a bell-crank lever L fulcrumedat Z1 on the casing below the valve stem and having a short arm L2carrying a rod L3 extending downwardly through the casing. The rodIls-carries a head L1 forming an abutment for the lower end of anexpansion spring L5 abutting at the upper end against the casing, andexerting its force through the lcvelfL to hold the valve yieldingly toits seatf* The electrical distribution to the several spark-plugs P ofthe ignition system, is effected through mechanism, not shown, which maybe as usual, located in a portion M6 of the casing, see Fig. 2, and`actuated from -a beveled gearwheel I3 on the drive- .70 and stem tohold these past the exhaust valves to thev passages N8 N 3 which are allconnected by a manifold, not shown, and led away as usual.,i

As -before stated the casing is in two porjoined together, and iswater-jackets M4r through which the cooling liquid is circulated by anysuitable pump, not shown, o erated from the drive-shaft I. The casingkalso serves as the4 frame for the engine and completely inclosesthe-latter.

Lubricating oil is forced bv a pump, indicated at M5, through pipes B tospaces in the covers communicating with the interior o-f the tubularpeiston-bars; in Fig. 4 m1 is a space in the sleeve M8 inclosing theupper piston-bar D of the vertical pair of bars D, D1. Oil enters thebar through the perforations al and escapes through the erforation d1 tothe recess c in the arm of the piston, whence it is led by branch pipesR1 R1 lto the annular groove b' in each piston-head and thus lubricatesthe cylinders and pistons. The end pistons B B7 and cored to provideranged bars D2 D1" are similarly supplied. Each of the two groups orseries of cylinmay be varied, or a .single series alone may.

Y incense ders and pistons, acts as a four cylinder four cycle engine,and the two series work independently through beveled gearing on theshafts F ,and G, on the propeller-shaft I'l. rThe cycle of intake,compression, explosion and exhaust for each cylinder is so timed inrelation to the disposition 0f the cranks on the crank-shafts F and G asto deliver two power impulses in each revolution of each shaft, and asthe cranks of each shaft are set :at an angle of 90 to those of theother, the result is the delivery of four power impulses in eachcomplete revolution of the two crank-shafts, transmitted to thepropellershaft.

By arranging the cylinders in tandem in a horizontal plane, the desiredcompactness is attained and the engines occupy but little lateral spaceor cross-sectional area.

By employing two pistons in each cylinder with a combustion chamberbetween and formed by the piston-heads, and by connecting together lallthe pistons moving in the same direction, and connecting together allthe pistons moving in the opposite direction, the power impulses areapplied to the crankshafts on diametrically opposite sides, whichresults in balancing such impulses and eliminating vibration.

The combined short strokes of the two pis-v tons in each cylinderaffords all the advantages of a long compression stroke, with a reducedpiston speed, thus permitting a greater number of explosions to takeplace within the maximum piston speed limit for internal combustionengines, which results in anl increased horsepower output in this typeof engine over that attainable in the usual type having the same numberof cylinders and piston'displacement. The advanl tage gained is lightermetal weight per horsepower developed.

Although the improved motor is especially adapted for airplane serviceand is de'- signed for such work, it will be understood that theinvention may be applied to engines designed for any service to which itmay be adapted; and modifications may be made in the forms andproportions and in various details of construction without depart- -ingfrom the principle of the invention oi' sacrificing its advantages. Thenumber of cylinders 1n the two series be employed.

1. In an internal combustion engine, four cylinders arranged in axialalinement, two pistons in each cylinder, a crank shaft common to all ofsaid pistons, the space between such pistons forming a combustionchamber, means connecting together the group of pistons moving in onedirection, and means connecting together the group of pistons moving inthe opposite direction,

2. In an internal combustion engine, four cylinders arranged in axialalinement and separated lfromeach other, a crank shaft common to all ofsaid pistons, two pistons in each cylinder, the space between suchpistons forming a combustion chamber, arms on said pistons extendedoutwardly in the space between said cylinders, means connecting togetherthe arms of the group of pistons moving in one direction, means forconnecting together the arms of the group of pistons moving in theopposite direction, and means for delivering a plurality of powerimpulses at each revolution of said shaft.

l3. In an internal combustion engine,` four separated cylinders arrangedin axial alinemen't, two pistons in each cylinder, the space betweensuch pistons forming a combustion chamber, arms on said pistons extendedoutwardly in the spaces betwen said cylinders, the arms of the group ofpistons moving in one direction arranged to lie in a horizontal plane,and the arms of the other group of pistons moving in the oppositedirection arx ranged to lie in a vertical plane, bars connecting suchhorizontally 'disposed arms, and bars connecting such verticallydisposed arms, a crank-shaft common to all of said pistons, andconnecting-rods from said barsto oppositely disposed cranks on saidshaft, the cycles of intake, compression, explosion, and exhaust forsuch series of four cylinders being timed to give two eHectiveimadjacent pistons of both, arms on said connections extended outwardlyin the spaces between saidv cylinders, means connecting together theAarms of the group of pistonsmoving in one direction, means connectingtogether thel arms of the group of pistons moving in the oppositedirection, and means for delivering two effective power impulses of bothgroups of pistons to the said crankshaft at each revolution of saidshaft.

ioo

' 5. In an internal combustion engine, a

plurality of separated cylinders arranged -in axial "alinement, twopistons in' each cylinder; the, space .between such pistons forming acombustion chamber, arms on said pistons extended outwardly in thespaces between said cylinders, tubular bars connecting said arms, andmeans for supplying lubricating oil through said barsv to said pistonsand cylinders,

' 6. In an internal combustion engine, four separated cylinders arrangedin axial alinement, pairs of oppositely moving pistons in saidcylinders', connected to a common crank shaft to give twoV effectiveimpulses at each revolution of said shaft, the space between suchpistons forming a combustion chamber, Valves controlling admission andexhaust passages for such combustion chambers, a drive-shaft disposedparallel with said cylinders and means for rotating it, and meansactuated by said drive-shaft for operating said valves.

n 7. In an engine of the character set forth, a casing, four cylindersarranged in axial alinement therein and having cylinder ports, andpistons in said cylinders connected to a common crank shaft to give twoeffective lmpulses at each revolution of said shaft,

.valve chambers in sai-d casing and passages leading to vsaid ports, adrive-shaft arranged parallel with said cylinders, wheels in said casinghaving cams thereon and driven by said drive-shaft,and valvescontrolling said passages and operated by said cams.

8. In an internal combustion engine, four cylinders arranged in axialalinement in a series, four cylinders arranged in axial alinement in asecond series in the same plane with the first, pairs of pistons in saidcylinders connected to a common crank shaft to give 'two effectiveimpulses at each revolution of said shaft, the space between suchpistons forming a combustion chamber, a crank-shaft for each series,valves controlling the por-ts of chambers, a drive-shaft extendingbetween said two series and parallel therewith, and means actuated bysaid drive-shaft for operating the valves of both series.

9. In l`an internal combustion engine, four v cylinders arranged inaxial alinement in a serie-s, four cylinders arranged in axial `sobalinement in a second series in the same. plane with the first, pairs ofpistons in said cylinders connected to ,ao common crank shaft .to givetwo effective impulses at each revolution of said shaft, the spacebetween such pistons forming'a combustion chamer, a` crank-shaft foreach series, and aY propeller shaft driven byl both said crankshafts,valves controlling the ports of such ysaid valves.

`with said pinion, cams such combustion4 combustion chambers, adrive-shaft extending between said two series and parallel therewith,means actuated by said driveshaft for operating the valves of bothseries, and means for rotating said drive-shaft from said propellershaft.

. 10..In an internal combustion engine,

crank-shaft for each series, a beveled gearwheel on each of saidcrank-shafts, a propeller shaft, and a beveled gearwheel on saidpropeller shaft in mesh with both of said beveled gearwheels on saidcrankshafts, and a drive-shaft rotated from said propeller shaft andarranged to operate der, passages from said 'chamber to 'saidport,valves controlling said passages for two adjacent cylinders, adrive-shaft parallel with said cylinders, a pinion on said shaft, agearwheel in said casing in mesh on the faces of said gearwheel,valve-stems on said valves arranged to be acted upon by said cams toopen said passages, and spring actuated means for seating said valves.

'12. In an engineof the character set forth, a plurality of cylinders, adouble piston having twopiston-heads and a connectinfr frame, an arm onsaid frame extending outwardly between adjacent cylinders each receivingone of said heads, a recess in said arm, a tubular bar joined to saidarm and communicating with said recess, an annu--

